Driver's License Upgrade

[BBBEEBOP]

I drive a 2005 Winny Vectra (32000 lb GVWR). Until today I was driving on a regular Class C Pennsylvania License (only good for 26000 lb GVWR). OH!! what a bad boy am I? I never was stopped and really never knew I had to upgrade to a Pennsylvania Class B Non-Commercial until I talked to a fellow RVer I met in Nashville, TN. Upon my return home I inquired of the PA DMV and was given the info I needed to upgrade. I passed my Skills test today and am happy to say I now and driving my coach within the limits of the law.

To all you big rig drivers (over 26000) check your state's requirements. Not that you would ever get stopped but if you had the unfortunate instance of an accident your insurance carrier might not be to happy.

Happy Holidays to all and safe travels.

[Wayne M]

This is a topic that needs to be address randomly to keep everyone up on their "skills." Thanks for posting.

Texas required a class B for 26,001 pounds and above and as long as the towed vehicle is under 10,000 pounds. A class A is needed if the vehicle is 26,001 pounds and as long as the towed vehicle is over 10,000 pounds. Both of these are NON-CDL.

Example: My Winnebago Destination, registered in Texas, has a curb weight of 27,000 pounds. If I am towing anything under 10,000 pounds I need a class B, or if I'm driving without towing anything, I need a class B. Towing above 10,000 pounds I would need a class A.

Thanks again.

[BBBEEBOP]

Yup! Those rules sound just like PA. Thanks for supporting the awareness of what is required. I wish I would have known earlier. Here's a site that outlines the requirements by State.
RV Driver's License Requirements

[bsedor]

Can I ask what you had to do to upgrade to a Class B license?

[mygrayhound]

BBBEEBOP - Didn't think we had to actually take a test! Last summer I sent for my required PA non-com. class B "learners permit"- at least that's what I read in the state reg's- that you have to get a learners permit first. So then they sent my $5 & app back and said just to send in the $40 for the new license. Like you I wanted to be completely legal...guess I'll reapply.
Thanks for the reminder!

[photoadjuster]

While sitting in the waiting room of a tire store, I visited with a senior Texas Highway Patrolman.

He reports that in Texas, the law requiring a class B license for a motorhome over 26,000 lbs is offset by another law for non commercial motorhomes that only requires a standard license.

This leaves them with no way to enforce the class B requirement, so they can't and don't.

He reports that there is no jeopardy by not having the class B, even in the event of a accident.

[Wayne M]

In Texas, you will be required to take a written test and a driving test. Both Class A and Class B written material come off of the manual for CDL that you can pick up at a DPS licensing station, or go on-line and download it. Study it, take the practice questions until you can answer them 100%. All you need in Texas is a 70 percentile to pass, so when taking the if you get the 1st 14 questions correct, the test will stop and tell you that you are finished.

The driving test depends on you location and the inspector. You may have to demonstrate straight backing, parallel parking. You will be judged on your ability to keep it between the lines, turn left and not let the furthest wheel back run over the center line, and turn right, keeping right. (don't cross into the opposite lane you are turning into. Plus the other typical driving skills, like stopping behind the stop line at lights or stop signs, not following to close (2 second rule - I use 4 sec rule in MH), keeping hands (both) in proper position on the steering wheel, checking your mirrors for traffic and being observant of everything around you, lane change signals and proper distance for changing, etc.

Easiest way is to get the learner's permit which will allow you to drive with another licensed Class B, or A, rider with you (Yeah! Right!), then when you are comfortable, take the driving test. When you go to the licensing station, talk to an inspector. Ask if they can give you an idea of what to practice for. They are not there to make you fail, but to keep the highways safe. Most of them will give you an idea of what you can expect with the driving test.

Good luck.

[Olive]

OK, time for a woman to poke a jab at the guys. Do you just get in these big ol' rigs and drive off and not think about there may be additional requirements? I looked at my state's rquirements while I was looking to buy my DP. Must be a man thing. A few months after I bought this rig I went to Camp Freightliner. I was the only female in a class of 10 or 12 and I believe the only one with a legal driver's license when the discussion came up. One for us ladies.

Now before you all get all ruffled up I'm just jesting. You wouldn't believe all the times I get asked, mostly from men, "You drive that thing all by yourself?" Yes, and I have a legal license too.

A comment on the post about TX law not being enforceable, an attorney in an accident may make a case of not having the required or suggested license even if it isn't enforceable.

[BobGed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by photoadjuster While sitting in the waiting room of a tire store, I visited with a senior Texas Highway Patrolman. He reports that in Texas, the law requiring a class B license for a motorhome over 26,000 lbs is offset by another law for non commercial motorhomes that only requires a standard license. This leaves them with no way to enforce the class B requirement, so they can't and don't. He reports that there is no jeopardy by not having the class B, even in the event of a accident.

I believe he's wrong. Read sections 1-4/1-5 carefully.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/DLhandbook.pdf

[Route 66]

I'm sure he's wrong.

This was investigated by Escapees and as others have posted, a higher class of license is required above certain weight limits.

[FlyingDiver]

I agree with Bob and Dirk. I expect the confusion was over CDL vs non-CDL (exempt) licenses.

joe

[BBBEEBOP]

In PA where I acquired my Non-Com Class B license you had to get a Learner's Permit for that class. ($5.00) Then scheduled a skills test on line or via 800# on the learner's permit. Went to the test answered questions about pre-trip inspection and did a Air Brake test with the examiner. We then went on a short road test (approx. 5-7 miles) thru town, left turns, right turns, H'way etc;

[Wayne M]

I have read, re-read, and re-read, the Texas Driver's license handbook. You can really get confused by some of the wording. Also, I have gotten different answers from different Texas DPS Troopers. The confusion comes with some wording about not needing a special license for RV's, but then there are wordings, as I described above that indicates special licenses are required. Some will search on the word Class A CDL and get more confused because they should have looked at the section pertaining to Class A (NOT CDL)

Good for you Olive. I'm glad someone does their homework. I will not let my wife drive, and she does not want to, until she has at least a learner's permit for a Class B. But I just may make her go for her Class A, as the tests are the same, and the only difference is what you can tow. Who knows, I just may want to tow a bus weighing over 10,000 pounds, after I beef up the hitch.

That trooper that told you that information was only correct in that you do not need a commercial driver's license (CDL) for an RV. He is very misinformed about class B and class A (NON CDL) weights and restrictions.

I'd even be willing to sit down and discuss this with him and the manual in front of us.

[Primetc]

BBBEEBOP

I have a PA Class C License driving a 35' Itasca gasser. I have a DP on order and have applied for my Non-Commercial Class B Leaner's Permit. Can you me give any further info about the skills test. Is the examiner supplied by the PennDOT office or is he an agent? Is there any classroom time required for the air brake system or is just the skills test adequate? The PennDOT office I am communicating with is in a shopping center (tight for a 40'). Do you take the DP to that location or somewhere else to start the skills test?

Thanks
Primetc